Archive · 1 Oct 2025
USCIS Fiscal Year 2026 Begins: Visa Caps Reset
The U.S. immigration system starts a new year on October 1, 2025, and resets the number of visas available.
This means the government sets new limits on how many people can come to the U.S. to work or live.
There are different types of visas, like those for families and those for jobs.
The government, through USCIS, has set limits for many visa categories.
Some categories like EB-2 visas, will have new visas available.
The H-1B visa for skilled workers has already met its yearly limit.
The H-2B program for temporary workers also has a set cap.
The new fiscal year allows for some of these numbers to reset.
USCIS fiscal year begins October 1, 2025, resetting visa quotas.
Family-sponsored preference immigrants have a limit of 226,000 visas.
At least 140,000 employment-based preference visas will be available.
H-1B visa cap for fiscal year 2026 has been reached.
H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year 2026 met.
- Who
- Immigrants and foreign workers
- What
- USCIS begins the fiscal year and resets visa caps.
- When
- October 1, 2025
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To manage the issuance of visas and annual quotas.
Supporters of Visa Restrictions
Advocates for Immigration Reform
H-1B Visa Cap
Supporters of Visa Restrictions
Visa limits help to prioritize US workers.
Advocates for Immigration Reform
Limited visas may cause a shortage of skilled workers in the US.
- USCIS Fiscal Year Start
- October 1, 2025
- Family-Sponsored Visa Limit
- 226,000
- Employment-Based Visa Limit
- 140,000
- Per-Country Limit
- 7% of total family and employment-based limits
- H-2B Cap
- 66,000 per fiscal year
- H-1B Cap Reached
- For Fiscal Year 2026
- EB-2 Visas
- Annual limits reset
